title: Plasmodium vivax malaria presenting as acute respiratory distress syndrome: a case report.
abstract: Severe pulmonary involvement in malaria has been frequently reported in cases of Plasmodium falciparum infection but rarely in vivax malaria. We look at a case of a 38-year-old man living in a malaria endemic area who presented with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by P. vivax. DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed that it was not a mixed infection. After specific antimalarial therapy and intensive supportive care, the patient was discharged from the hospital. This case illustrates that P. vivax-induced ARDS is not uncommon and should be readily recognized by the treating physicians. A confirmatory test with PCR is required in order to exclude P. falciparum co-infection.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Clinic, Department of Medicine, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, Kuala Terengganu 20400, Terengganu, Malaysia. drakar_drfha@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ahmad Kashfi Ab
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Farah Nadiah
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Sulaiman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D016780:Malaria, Vivax / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
keywords: Malaria; Plasmodium vivax; acute respiratory distress syndrome; antimalarial